Wikinews:Arbitration Committee/Elections January 2007

The Arbitration Committee is community-elected group of users who can hold hearings in serious disputes that cannot otherwise be resolved by the community (through discussions or quick, generally temporary actions by administrators).

In general, ArbCom hearings are intended to be about whether core policies like NPOV and Wikiquette are followed. The members of ArbCom can decide whether or not they want to hear a particular case brought before them through Requests for arbitration. Be aware that arbitration duty can still be rather time-intensive in complex cases, and that you will be required to recuse yourself from cases you are involved in.

This Arbitration Committee election will be held from January 18, 2007, 20:00 UTC to January 31, 2007, 20:00 UTC. The elections are an open process, and we strive for consensus. Anyone can be nominated. The candidates with the most support will be appointed to the 3 open seats on the committee left vacant due to the expiring terms of committee members Bawolff, Craig Spurrier and Deprifry.

The Arbitration Committee members elected will tentatively serve through January 31, 2008. The next Arbitration Committee election to fill the remaining 3 seats is tentatively scheduled for July 18-31, 2007. Please see discussion on the talk page regarding a proposal to lengthen the terms of arbitrators.

In order to vote, you need to have been an active user on Wikinews for more than a month, and you must have at least 200 edits.

'''The ArbCom Elections are now over. Please do not add any more votes.'''

Thunderhead
I would like to nominate Thunderhead for arbitrator. I think he has proven himself to be a level-headed and knowledgeable member of the community, and would make a great arbitrator. Bawolff -)(-: 00:14, 11 January 2007 (UTC)

Due to certain real-life issues, I have decided not to run, however if needed, I will take the position, however only if I am needed. Thunderhead - (talk) Congratulations to Kat! 22:24, 15 January 2007 (UTC) *Comment If someone does not wish to take any position I think we should respect what they wish. If I could vote I would vote oppose. --Sir James Paul 14:41, 29 January 2007 (UTC)
 * Support even tough Thunderhead decided not to run. — F e  llow  Wiki  News   (W)   (sign here!)  03:13, 18 January 2007 (UTC)
 * Oppose, if he decides to take position. He needs more experience before. Shyam  ( T / C ) 12:15, 22 January 2007 (UTC)
 * Support: 1 Oppose: 1

Ral315
Note: This candidacy is being placed only because Deprifry has chosen not to run. Please support Cspurrier and Bawolff (assuming the latter chooses to run this term.)

I'll admit to not being the most active member of Wikinews, but I consider myself cool-headed and suitable to handle any arbitration request that may be brought; while my work is mainly on Wikipedia, most of it involves the Wikipedia Signpost, a community newspaper that shares much in common with Wikinews. Should arbitration be brought, I will put forth the time needed to judge the merits of claims made by the users involved, and prescribe appropriate remedies to settle the dispute. I can usually be found on the Wikinews IRC channels for discussion as well. Ral315 (talk) 19:17, 11 January 2007 (UTC)
 * Support. I am placing this as my final vote as I believe Ral315 would make an excellent member of the Arbcom.  Whilst he may not be a prolific contributor here, his experience of wiki with the Signpost qualifies him for the position.  Not contributing heavily means that should Arbcom have a case to hear there is a good chance he will not have to excuse himself.  My apologies to those I didn't vote for, I felt with 3 positions open I should only make 3 votes. --Brian McNeil / talk 17:55, 19 January 2007 (UTC)
 * Support - Daniel.Bryant [ T · C ] 11:50, 22 January 2007 (UTC)
 * Neutral I really want to thank Ral315 for his contribution to Wikipedia Signpost. But I am not sure for how long will he be available on Wikinews for arbitration cases. Shyam  ( T / C ) 12:28, 22 January 2007 (UTC)
 * Comment Ral is an experienced Wiki-user and has helped resolve disputes on Wikinews before. I think he makes a good arbitrator, but feel constrained to vote support for only 3 candidates :( &mdash; Doldrums(talk) 17:03, 22 January 2007 (UTC)
 * Support: 2 Neutral: 1

Cspurrier
I am an admin, a bureaucrat and as of a few weeks ago a steward. I have been a member of arbcom since it was created. I would be honoured to be selected again. --Cspurrier 20:28, 11 January 2007 (UTC)
 * Support Brian | (Talk) | New Zealand Portal 01:40, 18 January 2007 (UTC)
 * Support Great WN User. Knowledgable with ArbCom, steward, etc. Thunderhead - (talk) Congrajulations to Kat! 02:21, 18 January 2007 (UTC)
 * Support.--Steven Fruitsmaak (Reply) 14:58, 18 January 2007 (UTC)
 * Support --Brian McNeil / talk 17:42, 19 January 2007 (UTC)
 * support Bawolff -)(-: 22:24, 19 January 2007 (UTC)
 * Support anybody that views me with suspicion. -Edbrown05 11:11, 20 January 2007 (UTC)
 * SUpport - Cartman02au (Talk)(AU Portal) 02:16, 21 January 2007 (UTC)
 * Support - Daniel.Bryant [ T · C ] 11:49, 22 January 2007 (UTC)
 * Oppose, biased propmotion of Skenmy is an example of lack of understanding of policies. Shyam  ( T / C ) 12:20, 22 January 2007 (UTC)
 * Support &mdash; Doldrums(talk) 17:03, 22 January 2007 (UTC)
 * Support. --+Deprifry+ 16:05, 26 January 2007 (UTC)
 * Support -- IlyaHaykinson 19:13, 27 January 2007 (UTC)
 * Support. Ral315 (talk) 02:59, 29 January 2007 (UTC)
 * Support. Andrew Watcher 09:40, 29 January 2007 (UTC) User has less than 200 contributions on en.wn, uneligible to vote --Thunderhead - (talk) 11:35, 29 January 2007 (UTC)
 * Support: 12 Oppose: 1

Deprifry
Deprifry remains a well trusted member of the community. If he is willing to run again, I think he will continue to be a great asset to the arbcom.--Cspurrier 20:28, 11 January 2007 (UTC)
 * I am honored, but I have to decline the nomination. --+Deprifry+ 15:46, 12 January 2007 (UTC)

Bawolff
Like Deprifry, Bawolff is also a well trusted member of the community. Another term for him would be a great idea. :) --Cspurrier 20:28, 11 January 2007 (UTC)
 * Thank you. I accept this nomination. Bawolff -)(-: 00:44, 14 January 2007 (UTC)


 * Support Brian | (Talk) | New Zealand Portal 01:40, 18 January 2007 (UTC)
 * Support Great user, knowledge with ArbCom, and well trusted. Thunderhead - (talk) Congrajulations to Kat! 02:21, 18 January 2007 (UTC)
 * Support — F e  llow  Wiki  News   (W)   (sign here!)  03:10, 18 January 2007 (UTC)
 * Support.--Steven Fruitsmaak (Reply) 14:58, 18 January 2007 (UTC)
 * Support for honesty. -Edbrown05 11:11, 20 January 2007 (UTC)
 * Support - Cartman02au (Talk)(AU Portal) 02:16, 21 January 2007 (UTC)
 * Support - Daniel.Bryant [ T · C ] 11:49, 22 January 2007 (UTC)
 * Support, as already a member of arbitration committee. He has better understanding of the project. Shyam  ( T / C ) 12:30, 22 January 2007 (UTC)
 * Support &mdash; Doldrums(talk) 17:03, 22 January 2007 (UTC)
 * Support. --+Deprifry+ 16:05, 26 January 2007 (UTC)
 * Support -- IlyaHaykinson 19:13, 27 January 2007 (UTC)
 * Support. Ral315 (talk) 02:59, 29 January 2007 (UTC)
 * Support. Andrew Watcher 09:34, 29 January 2007 (UTC) As per above, not enough edits on en.wn, --Thunderhead - (talk) 11:35, 29 January 2007 (UTC)
 * Support international 15:47, 29 January 2007 (UTC)
 * Support Hrm, I'm always late to these things... terinjokes | Talk | Come visit the WikiBistro 05:00, 30 January 2007 (UTC)
 * Support: 14

Brian New Zealand
I would like to help Wikinews further by becoming a member of the arbitration committee. As Wikinews grows, the attention it receives from people with strong ethno- political and religious ideologies will explode, it is has happened in the past, and could happen again, and increasing our output of news - quality news can be and is stifled due to attempted advocacy, propaganda or rewriting of news due to political bias, disputes take up too much time, which could be used writing articles instead. Having some experience in many wiki-roles I realized that the dispute resolution is very important for the project and I endorse that arbcom is the last step in the dispute resolution process, a process that should only be followed before arbitration can be considered. Wikinews is done by volunteers; if it is a comfortable place for productive work - people will come here to do productive works, if it is a comfortable place for trolling, vandalizing and disruptive editing - trolls, vandals and tendentious editors will be in and productive people out. If it will be a comfortable place for abusing administrative tools and biting newbies then again power hungry megalomaniacs will be in and workers out. Brian | (Talk) | New Zealand Portal 07:49, 12 January 2007 (UTC)


 * Support Great user, kind, good with the community, knowledgable with ArbCom, etc. Thunderhead - (talk) Congrajulations to Kat! 02:21, 18 January 2007 (UTC)
 * Support.--Steven Fruitsmaak (Reply) 14:58, 18 January 2007 (UTC)
 * Support. Will be a great addition to the arbcom team. --Nzgabriel | Talk 04:12, 19 January 2007 (UTC)
 * Support Arbcom needs a Brian ;-) - joking aside BrianNZ is one of the main contributors from the southern hemisphere, he gets wiki and I trust him to mediate in favour of continued growth of the wiki should Arbcom end up with any disputes to settle. --Brian McNeil / talk 17:47, 19 January 2007 (UTC)
 * support Seems to have a good idea about what its all about. Bawolff -)(-: 22:26, 19 January 2007 (UTC)
 * Support - Cartman02au (Talk)(AU Portal) 02:17, 21 January 2007 (UTC)
 * Support - Daniel.Bryant [ T · C ] 11:49, 22 January 2007 (UTC)
 * Support, good understanding about the policies. Shyam  ( T / C ) 12:12, 22 January 2007 (UTC)
 * Support &mdash; Doldrums(talk) 17:03, 22 January 2007 (UTC)
 * Support Towsonu2003 19:38, 23 January 2007 (UTC)
 * Support -- IlyaHaykinson 19:13, 27 January 2007 (UTC)
 * Support. Ral315 (talk) 02:59, 29 January 2007 (UTC)
 * Support. Andrew Watcher 09:43, 29 January 2007 (UTC) As per above, less than 200 edits on en.wn, --Thunderhead - (talk) 11:36, 29 January 2007 (UTC)
 * Support international 15:47, 29 January 2007 (UTC)
 * Support In the words of Weird Al Yankovic "Ah, do I really need a reason!" terinjokes | Talk | Come visit the WikiBistro 04:59, 30 January 2007 (UTC)
 * Support: 14

Doldrums
Doldrums replied on my talk page that he "would be happy" to accept the nomination after I asked him about it. Doldrums might be inclined to make a comment here on the nomination which I was glad to put forward. -Edbrown05 08:28, 14 January 2007 (UTC)

My experiences on Wikinews has taught me how essential a dispute resolution mechanism that leads to amicable and constructive results is. I believe that i have some ability to interact coolly and positively with people and to listen to and appreciate views different to my own, abilities i think are vital for an arbitrator. i would appreciate the opportunity to serve Wikinews as one. &mdash; Doldrums(talk) 08:59, 18 January 2007 (UTC)


 * Support Brian | (Talk) | New Zealand Portal 01:40, 18 January 2007 (UTC)
 * Support.--Steven Fruitsmaak (Reply) 14:58, 18 January 2007 (UTC)
 * Support. I believe Doldrums will serve the arbcom well. --Nzgabriel | Talk 04:12, 19 January 2007 (UTC)
 * support Bawolff -)(-: 22:26, 19 January 2007 (UTC)
 * Support for having the sense to dive into an issue without squirting out at the other end with whatever all over themselves. -Edbrown05 11:11, 20 January 2007 (UTC)
 * Support - Cartman02au (Talk)(AU Portal) 02:17, 21 January 2007 (UTC)
 * Support - Daniel.Bryant [ T · C ] 11:49, 22 January 2007 (UTC)
 * Support, Really would be an asset to the committee Shyam ( T / C ) 12:10, 22 January 2007 (UTC)
 * Support — F e  llow  Wiki  News   (W)   (sign here!)  17:45, 23 January 2007 (UTC)
 * support Towsonu2003 19:37, 23 January 2007 (UTC)
 * Support. --+Deprifry+ 16:05, 26 January 2007 (UTC)
 * Support . (User:Pulitikal does not qualify to vote, --Steven Fruitsmaak (Reply) 14:43, 27 January 2007 (UTC) )
 * comment: He takes Wikinews writing seriously. --Pulitikal 13:17, 27 January 2007 (UTC)


 * Support -- IlyaHaykinson 19:13, 27 January 2007 (UTC)
 * Support. Ral315 (talk) 02:59, 29 January 2007 (UTC)
 * Support. Andrew Watcher 09:43, 29 January 2007 (UTC) As per above, less than 200 edits on en.wn, --Thunderhead - (talk) 11:36, 29 January 2007 (UTC)
 * Support international 15:47, 29 January 2007 (UTC)
 * Support: 14

Results
Provisional results show that the three ArbCom members from this election are Bawolff, Brian New Zealand, and Doldrums.


 * I await confirmation of my tallies and results by another administrator (who isn't in the elections). --Brian McNeil / talk 23:29, 31 January 2007 (UTC)
 * I've counted the same tallies, awaiting official results terinjokes | Talk | Come visit the WikiBistro 00:50, 1 February 2007 (UTC)
 * Not an admin, but tallies are correct. --Thunderhead - (talk) 03:57, 1 February 2007 (UTC)
 * Checks out... it's official then, no?--Steven Fruitsmaak (Reply) 19:08, 2 February 2007 (UTC)
 * I move that these results only be considered official after notarized affidavits by every single administrator have been deposited at the office of the Wikimedia Foundation. --+Deprifry+ 21:11, 2 February 2007 (UTC)
 * The tallies are correct. It's official? — F e  llow  Wiki  News   (W)   (sign here!)  21:16, 2 February 2007 (UTC)